OECD LEED-Cedefop 2nd Green Skills Forum 2014 (Paris, France)

GREEN SKILLS AND INNOVATION FOR INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

14 February 2014, OECD Headquarters - Paris, France

The Forum

‌The challenges of greening the economy and the implications for employment and skills vary across regions and local areas, depending on their economic and industrial structure, as well as their current and potential innovative activities. Despite these national differences, sustained and inclusive employment is a shared objective for policy makers in all types of localities.

The Forum aims to review and discuss new research and policy approaches to foster a greener and inclusive economy. It identifies tools, strategies and initiatives from theory to practice. The Forum provides an open space for discussion between researchers, policy makers, employment analysts and social partners involved in skills development and identifying training needs for a greener economy.

Purpose

The 2nd Green Skills Forum will have a special focus on the links between skills and knowledge needs and inclusive green growth. Experts in innovation, employability and skills development policies will draw lessons from work conducted by Cedefop, the OECD and other organisations in this area. The discussions will help identify the obstacles and challenges lying ahead for the development of skills, education and training policies. The Forum’s outcomes will contribute to inform new work to be conducted to address the transition of labour markets to greener employment growth.

compare methods and tools used in monitoring and evaluating developments in labour markets;

indicate how research can support better targeted policy making and skills strategies;

identify gaps in knowledge and provide guidance for future research and collaboration for transitioning to a low carbon economy.

Themes

Theme 1: How can low carbon activities be key to competitive and inclusive growth?

There is strong evidence that ‘green’ jobs and skills contribute to the increased competitiveness and vitality of economies. In the current time of economic downturn and high levels of unemployment, it is essential that public policy focuses on the intersection of activities that both decarbonise the economy and lead to inclusive and employment growth, and on the role that skills and VET policies can play in this. This theme will analyse how this ‘green dividend’ can be maximised. Papers are invited on successful examples of integration of low carbon and inclusive employment, and to discuss the implications of green growth for skills for competitiveness at sub-national scales and particularly at the local level.

Theme 2: What are the new approaches for strategic policy coordination for a low carbon economy?

The Low Carbon Economy does not require a single policy action in just one area, but rather activity and coordination across a wide range of public policies. This includes horizontal coordination across policy domains and vertical alignment across policy levels (supranational, national, regional and local). This theme explores governance issues, i.e. how is integration in industrial, labour, educational and social policy spheres brought together, at which points, and how can success be monitored and measured. This theme emphasises the role of policy coordination in achieving more and better employment and favouring a better matching of supply and demand of jobs and skills.

Where and who should attend?

The Forum will be held at OECD headquarters in Paris on Friday 14 February 2014. The Forum is addressed to researchers, government advisers, employment and policy analysts and social partners working on skills development and training needs for a sustainable future.